The upcoming interiors will have a balance of physical and next-gen buttons, and is also working on the interiors of the new N-Badged cars.
Hyundai’s focus on Safety
Being our next-generation interiors [vision is that] the safest way is to keep the driver's eyes on the road as much as possible…With this approach in mind, we quite rapidly realised that the central screen is just a distraction. So [safety-wise] you don't want people to glance at the screen, you want them to be eye level," he said.
Through having physical buttons on the steering wheel, the driver can very rapidly look at the most used functions, or indeed tweak them without having to glance away from the road. "The infotainment screen [will be included too] because it provides additional layers you can dive into," said Loasby while emphasizing that there will be a balance of physical buttons.
Hyundai Design Boss Interviewed
Also, Hyundai design chief Luc Donckerwolke stated that determining the right screen size and making it functional will also be a major component of the next-generation cabins. "It is always a component of balance between having an appropriate screen that offers you the information in size in which you can focus on driving. Meanwhile, we need to ensure the screens aren't compelling you to go to the sub-menu for operations that earlier needed buttons only. So it's always not over killing it.". If you just do it all with screens, then you are inclined to move away from…hands on the steering wheel and the eyes on the road, and that is, for me, the most essential element of security safety," he added.
Hyundai N Cars to get more buttons
Hyundai is also developing the design and configuration of upcoming N models, which are performance-oriented. "When it comes to N," he said, "we put more on the steering wheel because if I've got gloves on, I can't use the touchscreen." They could include the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and the soon-to-be-released Ioniq 6 N. In the coming one or two generations, the automobile industry will witness the comeback of the analogue and the diminishment of screens," said Donckerwolke.
Conclusion
Hyundai's future interiors, launching in 2026, will prioritize balance between physical controls and digital screens to deliver a safer, more intuitive driving experience. By holding onto critical physical controls, Hyundai keeps drivers' attention on the road, with optimized screen size and functionality. The N-badged performance variants will have more physical buttons to serve driving enthusiasts. As the automotive industry shifts towards smarter, more driver-focused interiors, Hyundai’s approach highlights a thoughtful blend of tradition and innovation.
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